Arthur Balfour's Ghosts

An Edwardian Elite and the Riddle of the Cross-Correspondence Automatic Writings

This book tells the incredible story of the cross-correspondence automatic writings, described by one leading scholar of the field, Alan Gauld, 'as undoubtedly the most extensive, the most complex and the most puzzling of all ostensible attempts by deceased persons to manifest purpose...'

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This book tells the incredible story of the cross-correspondence automatic writings, described by one leading scholar of the field, Alan Gauld, 'as undoubtedly the most extensive, the most complex and the most puzzling of all ostensible attempts by deceased persons to manifest purpose, and in so doing to fulfil their overriding purpose of proving their survival'. It is an intensely personal and passionate story on so many levels: May Lyttelton trying to convince her lover Arthur Balfour of her continued existence; Myers with indomitable persistence trying to produce evidence to prove survival generally; Gurney and Francis Balfour striving from beyond the grave to influence the birth of children who would work for world peace; Gerald Balfour and his lover Winifred Coombe-Tennant believing that their child, Henry, would be the Messianic leader of this group of children.

Credit: author of ,Roger Straughan

'This will surely become the classic work on what is often seen as some of the most powerful evidence for life after death. Trevor Hamilton presents a meticulous overview and balanced assessment of some highly complex material, which he makes accessible and compelling reading for both specialist and non-specialist. A tremendous achievement.'

Credit: editor of ,Robert McLuhan

'Trevor Hamilton's study is the first in recent times to fully get to grips with this curious episode. It vividly brings to life the personalities involved, their background, interests and motivations, in a way that will appeal to the general reader. Arthur Balfour's Ghosts is not just an accessible and entertaining history, it’s an outstanding contribution to psychical research, and will surely remain the authoritative study for years to come.’

Credit: Communications Officer, SPR,Tom Ruffles

'Trevor Hamilton has done the field an enormous service by examining the cross-correspondences in depth. Arthur Balfour's Ghosts will be essential reading for anyone wishing to study this most intriguing aspect of psychical research.'

Credit: Adrian Parker, Gothenberg University

'By consulting many previously unknown archival sources Hamilton has been able to penetrate the context in which these communications occurred. He evaluates them in a true scientific manner yet concludes "they deserve study, respect, and attention and they have titled the balance a little more in the direction of the possibility of survival". Even the sceptic would have to reluctantly agree with him.'

Credit: Alan Murdie, Chairman, The Ghost Club

'A landmark study, the best and most accessible in a century, examining one of the most complex and long-running experiments in psychical research. In confirming that significant patterns suggestive of design exist within the data, Trevor Hamilton demonstrates that further study of the scripts is more than justified.'

"This book is a sympathetic, exhaustively researched and well documented study of the famous 'cross-correspondences' found in the automatic writings of distinguished SPR members and one professional medium..."

"Arthur Balfour's Ghosts – An Edwardian Elite and the Riddle of the Cross-Correspondence Automatic Writings makes for surprisingly open and communicative reading. Given the potential complexity of the actual subject matter itself… these 279 pages inadvertently allure the reader into wanting to read more."

Feb 5, 2018

Source: Fortean Times

Credit: Alan Murdie

"Arthur Balfour's Ghosts is the most important book on a topic in psychical research published during 2017 and the most significant book on the evidential aspects of mediumistic communications to have appeared for several years... "

"Arthur Balfour's Ghosts is a comprehensive overview of varied and at times complex material only recently made available. Particularly engaging are the author's anecdotes and background details that bring to life this close-knit group of investigating intellectuals".

"Arthur Balfour's Ghosts is the best discussion of the subject [of the cross-correspondence automatic writings] available today."

Aug 10, 2018

Source: Journal for the Society of Psychical Research

Credit: Guy Lyon Playfair

"[Arther Balfour's Ghosts] is excellently written and is essential reading for those interested in the early days of psychical research... This book is not only an invaluable record of a series of thoroughly researched and documented events. It also has considerable relevance to psi research today... This is indeed a book for the serious psi researcher to treasure."